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Daily News Summary
7 September 2020

Coronavirus: Primary pupils 'at no greater risk' of the virus in school than at home
Exam results 2020: Government will "get it right next time", says foreign secretary

Coronavirus: Primary pupils 'at no greater risk' of the virus in school than at home

 

New findings from Public Health England suggest children attending primary school or nursery are at no greater risk of contracting coronavirus than those staying at home. By Kat Lay, The Times.

Teaching unions have warned catch-up support promised by the Government will arrive "too late" for most children who need it, after it was revealed schools will have to wait until November to access the £350 million National Tutoring Programme. By Donna Ferguson, The Observer.

John Swinney, Scotland's education secretary, has said blended learning remains an important part of contingency plans should the spread of coronavirus "get out of control again". By John Roberts, Tes.

The Sunday Times reports some children who returned to school last week are struggling to concentrate in lessons, and some are displaying signs of withdrawal from online gaming. By Sian Griffiths.

iNews reports scientists from the Independent Sage group have said schools will have to keep windows open during the winter to improve ventilation and reduce the spread of coronavirus. By Will Hazell.

Molly Kingsley, co-founder of children's rights group UsforThem, writes in The Telegraph arguing schools that have implemented coronavirus policies tighter than the Government's guidelines "have become places of potential harm for children".

According to a survey by the National Association of Head Teachers, 92 per cent of schools that reopened for the start of the autumn term last week reported pupil attendance of 81 per cent or higher. By Will Hazell, iNews.

The Telegraph reports the number of children referred to social care services by schools fell by 77 per cent during the height of lockdown. By Gabriella Swerling.

An article in The Telegraph reports schools across the North West are using virtual reality technology to carry out science experiments and teaching training. By James Cook.

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies has outlined ways universities can control and reduce the spread of coronavirus, warning: "A critical risk is a large number of infected university students seeding outbreaks across the UK, influencing national transmission." By Peter Stubley, The Independent.

iNews reports the University and College Union is threatening to hold ballots for industrial action if universities fail to implement appropriate workplace safety protocols. By Ewan Somerville.

 

Exam results 2020: Government will "get it right next time", says foreign secretary

 

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has said the Government will "get it right next time" on exams, following this year's grading controversy. By John Roberts, Tes.

 
Tes

 

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